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The Imperfects

The Imperfects

By: Hugh van Cuylenburg Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
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We’re all imperfect. On this podcast, founder of The Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, his good friend Ryan Shelton, and only one of their brothers, Josh van Cuylenburg, talks to a variety of interesting people who vulnerably share their own struggles and imperfections, or expertly pass on their wisdom on the subject of imperfection. Whether it’s in The Vulnerabilitea House, The Academy of Imperfection, or with our very own psychologist, Dr Emily, The Imperfects are here to find some valuable takeaways we can all apply to our own imperfect lives.2026 Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Dr Emily - You're Full of Grit
    Jun 14 2026

    Do you think you have grit?

    💌Join 8,000+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

    Research has shown that the most common characteristic of elite performers and high achievers is grit.

    Understood as the passion and perseverance for very long term goals, Grit is not about natural ability or talent, but rather how we choose to grow.

    Your favourite resident psychologist, Dr Emily Musgrove, is back in the studio this week to talk about how you can become a grittier person!

    We also look inward, as Josh asks how to maintain grit when it feels like your inner critic is overwhelmingly loud.

    Dr Em, so great to have you back.

    0:00 – Down with the nonchalance!
    5:43 – Talent vs Excellence
    10:40 – Interested in finding your interests
    16:42 – For the non-naturals in the room
    24:22 – Effort is essential for excellence
    32:17 – Practicing, kindly
    35:01 – Hope is earned
    42:06 – The good and bad criticism
    53:45 – Encountering pain and discomfort
    59:54 – For the greater good
    1:06:09 – The dark side of perseverance

    If you want to watch this full episode on YouTube, click here - https://youtu.be/JmcLV7DGL4k

    🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode

    • Dyson Heppell - Whatever It Takes… To Forgive - https://bit.ly/4egeneO
    • Nedd Brockmann - The Man, The Myth, The Neddgend - https://bit.ly/4egfATo
    • Dr Emily - Hope - https://bit.ly/43YalTr
    • Bri Lee - Babies+Climate=Anxiety - https://bit.ly/4xlrYdl
    • How I Built ‘Dis’ - The Resilience Project Story - https://bit.ly/4aH0dSP

    📚Things to read

    • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth - https://bit.ly/4vzoe6o
    • Self-efficacy, by Albert Bandura - https://bit.ly/4fx4KdW
    • Master of Change, by Brad Stulberg - https://bit.ly/4xCbUEv
    • Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, by Anders Ericsson - https://bit.ly/3Q9cIje

    📺Things to watch

    • THE GAP, by Ira Glass - https://bit.ly/4xjkuHL

    ⭐️Things to donate to

    • JMB Foundation - https://jmbfoundation.org.au

    🏆Competitions to enter

    • Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr

    🎟️Things to buy tickets to

    • Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr

    🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

    🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW

    🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu

    🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects

    The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Ellyse Perry - It Starts With Trying
    Jun 7 2026

    At just 16, Ellyse Perry was the youngest person to ever debut for the Australian International Cricket team. 13 days later, Ellyse debuted for the Matildas.

    💌Join 7,800+ people getting our takeaways and favourite moments from this episode in our weekly newsletter - http://bit.ly/45NyQDy

    Arguably one of the greatest athletes of our time, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Ellyse about how she stays so grounded amidst her incredible success, and whether she is able to separate who she is from what she does.

    Ellyse chats to the guys about her relationship with her dad (Josh and Hugh furiously take notes), and how both her parents were able to instil a love of trying rather than winning.

    And then we get onto social anxiety; what it feels like for Ellyse, why she loves silent retreats, and how she manages it in front of her fans.

    Ellyse, you are a literal ray of sunshine. Please come back anytime.

    If you’d like to watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link - https://youtu.be/xAZeLzcG43Y

    0:00 – Is THAT AI?
    5:05 – Running (and bowling) it’s natural course
    11:24 – The feeling of not trying
    17:18 – Parents: Be A Good Sport
    29:22 – Prepare to be disappointed
    40:23 – Bitter sweet World Cup
    46:48 – The complexity of ego
    1:03:54 – Practicing presence
    1:10:30 – Hugh’s advice for big moments

    🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episode

    • Pat Cummins - Love, Loss & Life - (1:14:20) - https://bit.ly/3PRku11
    • WHO ARE YOU? with Dr Emily (+ secret code word) - (17:20) - https://bit.ly/4e1SxeV

    📖 Things to read

    • Perspective by Ellyse Perry - (29:22) - https://bit.ly/3PSMaCI
    • Ellyse Perry’s children’s books - https://bit.ly/4e1TyDM
    • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - (1:11:40) - https://bit.ly/437yxT9

    📺Things to watch

    • Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot - (1:17:27) - https://bit.ly/3PSPKNa

    🏆Competitions to enter

    • Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema Gold Class Double Pass - https://bit.ly/3S0E0Zr

    🎟️Things to buy tickets to

    • Imperfects LIVE at the Balwyn Cinema - https://bit.ly/4vq9JSr

    🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

    🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuW

    🩵To join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - http://bit.ly/4mqunxu

    🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts too, here - http://apple.co/theimperfects

    The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • We're Doing a One-Off Live Show!
    Jun 2 2026

    We have a BIG announcement.

    August 19. Balwyn Cinema. Our first ever live podcast recording. With Hugh, Ryan, Josh, Dr Emily, and you?

    ARE YOU AS EXCITED AS WE ARE?!

    And you could win your way there! THE ULTIMATE GOLD CLASS DOUBLE PASS includes: 2 x tickets, flights or a limo if you're already in Melbourne, accomodation for the night, popcorn, choc top, sparkling wine and a personal escort to your seats by former Balwyn Cinema employee Hugh van Cuylenburg!

    🏆 Enter here NOW - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/balwyn-entry/

    Tickets will go live Monday June 8.

    🎟️ Buy here - https://bit.ly/4ecYtTw

    BUT to enter the competition OR buy tickets, you need a codeword (lowercase). And the only way you will hear the codeword is to be a Little More Imperfects subscriber and listen to the latest episode!

    So quick, subscribe here!

    🩵Patreon - patreon.com/theimperfects

    🩷Apple Podcast - http://apple.co/theimperfects

    We can’t wait to see you there x

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
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